Wearing Silicone Breast Prosthesis By Kimberly Chareau
Using Medical Adhesives for Transgender Silicone Breasts
Wearing Silicone Breast Prosthesis is published on TGGuide.com with permission of the Author. This article and photographs may not be reprinted without permission of the author.
The joy of actually wearing silicone breasts attached to your own skin cannot be denied! They look, feel, and behave so exquisitely that it is hard to go back to simply wearing them in a restrictive brassiere.
Attaching breasts is easily accomplished by purchasing an inexpensive brush-on adhesive from any medical supply company. I have tested several types of adhesives and have chosen one particular type for it’s wearable strength, and ease of removing the “used” adhesive from the silicone breasts afterwards.
I originally liked UROCARE Uro-Bond 5000. This is a clear polysilicone adhesive which, at first, appeared to be robust (pun – NOT!). But experiments soon revealed that the adhesive weakened around the perimeter of the breast, especially after sleeping in them. Also, cleaning this type of adhesive from the polyurethane “skin” (which covers the silicone gel that fills the breasts) was not easy. Trichloroethane solvents, used to remove adhesive from your own skin, can actually momentarily cause unusual expansion and rippling of the silicone breasts. And I believe that this can accelerate the breakdown and tearing of this delicate polyurethane “skin” (I ruined one pair – an expensive lesson!)
So, I have switched to SMITH+NEPHEW Skin-Bond 4000-00, which uses a “white” Natural Rubber adhesive in a Hexane solvent. Hexane does not cause the rippling effect and subsequent damage to the polyurethane breast skin. However it is considered to be a neurotoxin, so it is best to follow directions about ventilation and drying time. (The best adhesion is achieved if you coat the breast and your own skin, then press it in place after 4 minutes). I researched the toxicity of n-Hexane and convinced myself that it can be used safely. Since it is used medically as a natural rubber solvent for application to human skin, I believe it is safe. The amount used is very small. (Any solvent has it’s risks, even acetone, trichlorethane, etc.)
Natural Rubber really has great adhesion! The breasts don’t pull away from your skin around the perimeter as easily. And perspiration does not affect the holding power. You can even swim, shower, sleep, or take a bubble bath! eventually, you may have to remove them (reluctantly, I’m sure!), and then it’s clean-up time (fun!). The white rubber adhesive that remains on your chest can easily be removed using Mineral Spirits and a paper towel. Wash the solvent off with soap and water. A nice dusting of Baby Powder will absorb any residual stickyness. But what about those silicone breasts? All that white rubber! (And if you were lazy, and built up many layers of natural rubber before cleaning, what a mess!).
As I mentioned, you do NOT want to use pure trichloroethane on those silicone breasts, as the outer polyurethane “skin” will wrinkle and possible weaken with repeated exposure. The manufacture of such solvents did not know that you would be cleaning breast Prosthesis, or trying to re-use them without damage. You may get away with it for awhile, but it’s an expensive gamble.
The SECRET!:
I just discovered a “solventless” method of removing the layer of white natural rubber – apply Vaseline petroleum jelly all over the adhesive, and let it sit overnight. Then, after wiping the Vaseline off, and “degreasing” in soap and water (DAWN detergent is great), you can use your fingertip to gently peel-back and “roll” the rubber into a ball. It peels back off the breast very nicely, leaving little trace of rubber! This is a significant improvement over dissolving it with solvents – large build ups of rubber can take absolutely all night to remove using solvents. The Vaseline method takes minutes (after the overnight soak). If a small amount of stubborn rubber goo remains in some places, this can be safely removed using SMITH+NEPHEW Uni-Solve 4020-00 Adhesive Remover. This contains Naptha (also called Mineral Spirits) and a smaller percentage of Trichloroethane. The ratios of solvents make it gentler on the polyurethane, and you don’t have to worry about damage.
If you own silcone breasts and have never attached them, I encourage you to try this delightful experience. The SMITH+NEPHEW Skin-Bond 4000-00 Natural Rubber Adhesive (with Hexane) costs less than $10.00. Ask your local medical supply house. Mineral Spirits Paint Thinner is less than $5.00 at any hardware store, and Vaseline petroleum jelly is about $3.00.
Good luck, and enjoy your “bosom buddies”!
Copyright – Kimberly Chareau
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